CFRE Training

About the Certified Fund Raising Executive Program

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) professional certification program, is governed and administered by CFRE International, an independent international organization. CFRE International exists to uphold the public trust through voluntary certification of fundraising professionals. Through the CFRE credential, CFRE International supports and encourages fundraising professionals to aspire to the highest standards of professional competence and ethical practice in serving the philanthropic sector.

The designation “Certified Fund Raising Executive” (CFRE) is a mark of distinction, providing heightened professional recognition and greater career options and earning potential for fundraising executives with three years or more experience.*

This practice-based designation requires demonstration of having met these standards through both an application and a written examination. If you are interested in applying for certification and taking the exam, learn more about the process on CFRE.org. There you will find an online application you can begin completing today to help track your progress, as well as information about application fees, deadlines, and exam timings.

*Experience requirement updated in 2018

The CFRE Program is governed by the CFRE Professional Certification Board. The program and the board is administered in cooperation with leading philanthropic associations:


  • Association of Christian Development Professionals (ACDP)
  • Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)
  • Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)
  • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
  • Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE)
  • Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP)
  • Association Canadienne des Professionnels en dons Planifies (ACPDP)
  • Council for Resource Development (CRD)
  • Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA)
  • Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ)
  • International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)
  • National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)
  • North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO)
  • Philanthropic Services for Institutions (PSI)
  • United Way of America

About the AFP Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive Program

The Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) Program is administered by the ACFRE Professional Certification Board. The ACFRE Program is not affiliated with CFRE International. Learn more here.

Certification as ACFRE requires successful completion of four stages of the process, which must be completed sequentially: a written application, a written examination, a portfolio review, and an oral peer review.

Candidates for ACFRE Professional Certification should be aware that not all "advanced" or "senior executive" continuing education opportunities are acceptable for the ACFRE application process.

To be eligible, such activities must address one or more specific topics in Advanced Organizational Management or Advanced Organizational Leadership, as described in the ACFRE Application and Guidelines.

Those interested in pursuing an ACFRE certification must meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least 10 years of experience in professional fundraising.
  • Currently have or hope to attain a leadership or managerial role in philanthropy.
  • Want to expand their knowledge and understanding of fundraising history, philosophy, and theory beyond a basic level, and/or
  • Have identified the ACFRE designation as a career objective.